With the latest announcement from the NHL disciplinary committee that Sean Avery’s blatant slashes to the legs of Mike Komisarek in Friday’s game will not be reviewed, it seems that the NHL is content with applying the rules as they see fit, which, at the very least, remains consistent with their recent disciplinary efforts as I discussed in a previous column.
Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri received a one game suspension for his slash on New York Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter. The two were jostling and jabbing at each other in a pre-season game and Cammalleri slashed the stick across Niederreiter’s ankle, sending him to the ice and causing Cammalleri to miss the season opener, resulting in a 3-2 Canadiens loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Sean Avery took two blatant chops to Komisarek, one to the back of the knee and the other to his ankle, and yet he will receive no further disciplinary action other than the two minute minor he served during the game. It’s worth noting that Avery is a repeat offender, having been suspended numerous times, including, among other things, vulgar comments off the ice concerning other players. Cammalleri had no previous track record for this type of behaviour.
Avery was also involved in another early season suspension, as his chattering with Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski led Wisniewski to make an obscene gesture on the ice, for which he received a two-game suspension. As the NHL continues to ignore Sean Avery, favouring him for being the NHL’s ‘Bad Boy’, the sport will continue to receive black eyes in the press and on the ice. From his racial comments against former NHL tough guy Georges Laraque to his screening antics in the 2008 NHL playoffs that led to a rule change, Avery is bad for the NHL’s image, one that used to be built on class and sportsmanship.
In an effort to cut down on headshots, the NHL is seriously cracking down on blind side hits and hits from behind, as evidenced by the suspension of Chicago Blackhawks defender Nicklas Hjalmarsson for his crushing check on Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Pominville, even though video replay showed Pominville was aware of Hjalmarsson’s presence and turned away from the hit, resulting in his head connecting with the boards and a subsequent concussion. Hjalmarsson only received two games due to not having a previous track record for headhunting.
Shane Doan may also be subject to further disciplinary review after his hit on Dan Sexton. The hit was delivered late, and his shoulder made contact with Sexton’s head as Doan swept in at an angle. Could the NHL be lenient here given that Sexton was not injured and Doan does not have a previous track record? His hearing will go later today and it is expected that since the hit meets most of the NHL’s new criteria, Doan will receive a one game suspension.
Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta has also been fined for an attempted headbutt on New Jersey’s Patrick Kaleta, but received no suspension. It’s this type of Mickey Mouse officiating and discipline that will lead to more players willing to take more chances. Add the beloved ‘instigator’ rule and you can see how the deterioration of respect for one’s opponent continues to be a major flaw in the NHL, one that they continue to overlook and only react to when it’s too late.
The focus on the NHL continues to be the safety of its players, but when headbutts, slashes and the like are dealt with (or not dealt with) on a case-by-case, seemingly roll of the dice or spin of the wheel basis, the message will not get through and a league desperately trying to maintain some credibility will just continue to lose it with every subsequent incident.
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Born and raised in Northern Ontario but currently living in Toronto, Tyler wouldn't have it any other way. Home to his two favourite sports teams, Tyler revels in the day to day sports experience that is Toronto. 
So let’s see, based on this years suspensions, you cant’ hit anyone if they’re even close to the boards from any direction. You can’t hit folks if they’re not paying attention. No open ice hits of any kind. You can’t touch someones ankle but you can hack the fuck out of it. Boarding ranks on par with obscene gestures, but ruffling up a fans jersey beats them all.
Sounds about right? Can we just go straight to the no fighting, no hitting league that every non-fan wants, aka basketball on ice? It would probably make the moron that runs this league feel right at home.
It’s a good thing the NBA exists or the NHL would truly be the joke of the North American sporting world.
Unsurprising that it’s that league that we found our current Napoleon from.